CORFAC News

LOS ANGELES, CA – Being all things to all people, or providing focused services in a strategic market area?  Fifty years ago, Stuart Klabin pondered that question when he launched a commercial real estate company in Los Angeles.  That Klabin chose the latter course is underlined as The Klabin Company celebrates a half century of service this month (March) as perennially among Los Angeles County’s top 14 firms of its kind (source: LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL “Book of Lists”, 2011).  The Klabin Company/CORFAC International, as it is now known, achieves this market position by concentrating on industrial and office properties in a vibrant region stretching from Santa Monica south to Long Beach and parts of Orange County. It does this with a modestly sized, but top producing team of 19 brokers. Significantly, these seasoned professionals average 21 years with the company operating out of offices near LAX and the South Bay, CA.  Klabin, who serves as chairman of the board, recalled his vision for The Klabin Company/CORFAC at its 50^th Anniversary.  “I worked alone for two years in a tiny room next to the ‘Green Horse Bar’ in Inglewood. My focus was 100 percent on industrial real estate, committing the company to have a somewhat geographic concentration. I felt that proficiency in industrial and subsequently office properties while securing a large market share of an easily accessible geographic area was far better than attempting to provide a multitude of services, including retail and property management, in numerous submarkets,” Klabin said.  Klabin recalls his first transaction. “I sold a 10,000 square foot lot in Gardena for $10,000. I received a $500 commission, but it was one of the most important transactions of my life.”  Growth required a move to 710 W. Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood near the 405 Freeway. Not long after, Kathy Muno, now vice president of operations, and veteran broker Murray Smith joined the company. They are active partners today. David Prior, SIOR, now president of Klabin/CORFAC and an active industry leader, joined the firm not long after. Expansion continued and The Klabin Company relocated to its present headquarters in 1993 at the high identity Howard Hughes Center fronting the 405 Freeway just north of Los Angeles International Airport.  “Previously, our growing activity dictated opening an office in Torrance in 1989. This enabled us to provide quality service to the entire southwest part of Los Angeles County and north Orange County,” Klabin said.  Klabin attributes a significant part of the company’s success to giving back to the industry. He is a founder and past president of the venerable AIR Commercial Real Estate Association. At least two other company principals have served as AIR president.   Klabin was also inducted into what is now the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, and he and Prior have both served as president of the Los Angeles area SIOR chapter, with Klabin serving as national vice president of the Western U. S. for the society. Partner Luke Staubitz, SIOR, also served as president of SIOR’s L. A. Chapter.  Additionally, The Klabin Company became a founder and Western U. S. affiliate of CORFAC International in 1989, enabling it to network with other successful entrepreneurial brokerage companies world wide in behalf of its clients. Prior served as president of CORFAC in 1994.  “Much of our company’s success is attributed to the young partners who never felt limited or intimidated by prospective clients,” Klabin said. Among these individuals were Prior, Smith, Todd Taugner, SIOR, Staubitz, Harvey Beesen, F. Ronald Rader, SIOR, Doug Marshall and David Grote. “Enhancing this is our open corporate culture whereby brokers don’t hesitate to share information to the benefit of clients,” Prior added.  In a pivotal move to solidify the strength of his brokers in the market, three staff members, including Prior, were named stockholders in 1990. Today there are a total of 10 stockholders of The Klabin Company/CORFAC.  “We really believe that with our market focus on industrial and office properties and the strength we’ve provided our partners and staff that we are better prepared to serve clients in our chosen markets. The loyalty and confidence of our clients demonstrates that,” Klabin concluded.  About The Klabin Company/CORFAC International  Now in its sixth decade, The Klabin Company/CORFAC International is ranked among the top 20 commercial real estate companies based in Los Angeles. The firm has offices in Los Angeles and Torrance, and is affiliated with CORFAC International. For more information go to www.klabin.com.CORFAC International is one of the largest commercial real estate services organizations in the world. CORFAC is comprised of privately-held entrepreneurial firms serving more than 150 markets in The Americas and internationally through its King Sturge CORFAC International alliance. Last year, CORFAC firms completed over 9000 commercial real estate transactions, encompassing more than 300 million square feet and valued in excess of $30 billion. For more information on CORFAC visit www.corfac.com.